moonrise over erta ale

Erta Ale which means 'Smoking Mountain' is one of only six lava lakes in the world. After a 9 hour drive from the closest village over lava fields, salt flats and sand, it is another 3 hours on foot in the dark until you finally reach the rim of the caldera. As you descend there is no trail, you have to watch every step when walking on freshly crusted lava that cracks under your feet, one false move and you can fall into an air pocket. The volcano is alive - you feel the heat, hear the roaring sounds, see the ash and sparks flying up in mini explosions - one of nature’s most mesmerizing and dangerous shows.